What to offer the Goddess and which mantra to chant for each zodiac sign this Shardiya Navratri

Shardiya Navratri begins on the pratipada of the Shukla Paksha of the Ashwin month. This year it starts on Sunday, October 11. During the nine days, different forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped.

According to the scriptures, it is a religious belief that a devotee who offers the Goddess a special naivedya (food offering) according to their zodiac sign during Navratri, and chants the prescribed mantras with devotion, receives especially auspicious results in life. The Goddess is said to be pleased when the right grain is offered according to the planets and the nature of each sign, and to bring happiness and prosperity to the home. Here is what people of each sign should offer and which mantra they should chant.

Aries: red flowers such as hibiscus or rose, besan laddoos or halwa, with the mantra "Om Aim Kreem Kleem Mahadurgadevyai Namah". Taurus: white sweets, rasgullas, rock sugar, butter and fragrant perfume, with "Om Shreem Kleem Mahalakshmi Namah".

Gemini: green cardamom, ketaki flowers or bananas, with the mantras "Om Gam Ganapataye Namah" and "Om Aim Namah". Cancer: kheer made with milk and rice, makhana and white flowers, with "Om Dum Durgayai Namah". Leo: kheer made with saffron, pomegranate and jaggery, with "Om Hreem Shreem Dum Durgayai Namah".

Virgo: green vegetables, fruits, cardamom and malpua, with "Om Aim Shreem Kleem Kamalavasinyai Namah". Libra: panchamrit, white sweets and malti flowers, with "Om Mahalakshmi Namah". Scorpio: red sweets, jaggery or pomegranate, with "Om Kraam Kreem Kraum Sah Bhaumaya Namah".

Sagittarius: yellow sweets, besan sweets, kesari bhaat and yellow flowers, with "Om Aim Kleem Saumah Durgaye Namah". Capricorn: coconut, urad dal kheer or sesame, with "Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundaye Vichche". Aquarius: halwa-puri, blue flowers or sesame sweets, with "Om Aim Hreem Kleem Namah". Pisces: bananas, jaggery made with chana dal, or milk with saffron, with "Om Shreem Hreem Kleem Durgadevyai Namah".

Worshipping the Goddess according to one's zodiac sign during Navratri is said to bring a devotee every kind of material and spiritual benefit. Offering the right naivedya and reciting the mantras clearly is said to keep happiness, peace, prosperity and protection in the home. It is also said to end the effect of unfavourable planets in the horoscope and bring the Goddess's special blessings.

Some precautions are necessary during worship. Chant the mantras with correct pronunciation and offer only sattvic items. Keep away from tamasic items altogether and hold complete devotion and faith in the mind. Worship done without discipline and restraint does not yield its full fruit, so these rules must be followed.

Reports on subjects such as religion, astrology, Vastu and Feng Shui are meant for readers' information only. Consult a knowledgeable person before attempting any related practice.